Carton closing machine



Feb. 7,1939. v. G. WILLIAMS ET AL CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet J UT'TUGWTOTS 1939. v. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 2,146,001

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed. Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 HIM. m1- K y g V v. G. WILLIAMS ET 2,146,001

' CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Unuembrs 'ATTY Feb. 7,1939.

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I TTY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 V. G. WILLIAMS ET AL CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 Feb. 7, 1939.

Feb. 7, 1939. v wlLLlAMS ET AL 2,146,001

CARTON CLOS ING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet e 'jnvenTors V VG winiaw'ns JLMIFQLJ'Per Patented Feb. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assig'nors Delamere & Williams, Limited Application August 19, 1936, Serial No. 96,853

17 Claims.

This invention relates to the closing of containers of that type employing a hinged cover having a flap integral therewith which is inserted between the contents and the front of the box and is particularly for containers of this type in which an inner lining is provided for receiving the contents.

Usually these containers are folded up and the inner lining inserted on one machine and then 10 sent to the filling machine. and the object of the present invention is to devise improved apparatus for accomplishing the various steps necessary to properly fold in the inner liner and to properly close the hinged cover.

We attain our object by means of the constructions hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the filled carton with its liner ready for closing;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly broken away, of the improved apparatus;

Fig. 3 a plan view of the same with the cartonclosing apparatus omitted;

Fig. 4 a plan view, partly broken away, of the carton moving mechanism;

Fig. 5 a side view of the same, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 6 a cross section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 an enlarged elevation of the feed mechanism;

Fig 8 a cross section of the same;

Fig. 9 a side elevation of the liner and end flap folding mechanism;

Fig. 10 a cross section of the same;

Fig. 11 a cross section illustrating the compressing mechanism;

Fig. 12 a cross section of the cover creasing mechanism;

Fig. 13 a cross section illustrating the carton 40 closing mechanism;

Fig. 14 a perspective View of the spreader;

Fig. 15 a perspective view of the cam for reciprocating the closing mechanism carrier.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the difierent figures.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings which shows the carton A with the liner B after filling and ready for closing. The purpose of the apparatus is to accomplish the necessary steps to close the carton, and briefly, these steps consist in the following operations:-

1. To feed the cartons at regular intervals to the closing mechanism.

2. To turn down over the material in the carton the front part I of the liner and to commence the folding down of the ends 2 and 3 of the liner.

3. To complete the folding down of the ends 2 and 3 of the liner and also to fold down the ends 5 and 6 of the carton.

4. To apply pressure to the outside of the upper part of the front 1 of the carton to compress the contents.

5. To ensure that there is suillcient space be tween the front of the liner and the inside of the front of the carton for the entrance of the cover flap 9.

6. To commence the folding down of the carton cover 8 and the rear part 4 of the liner, and. to bend the cover flap 9 at an angle to the cover thus forming a fold line between the cover and flap; and

7. To finally complete the folding down of the cover 8 and the insertion of the flap 9 between the front I of the carton and the liner.

In addition means may be provided for applying a date, identifying symbol, or other mark to the carton.

The apparatus comprises a supporting frame It! mounted on legs I I and suitably shaped and proportioned to support the various parts.

Journalled in the frame are the vertical shaft l2 and the stud l3, one adjacent each end of the frame. The shaft I 2 is provided at its upper end with a carrier sprocket l4, while the stud I3 is provided at its upper end with a carrier sprocket l5 by means of which sprockets an endless carrier chain l'6 is driven.

The sprocket I5 is freely rotatable on the stud l3 but the sprocket I4 is provided with clutch mechanism for driving it from the shaft l2. This clutch mechanism comprises a member I! pivoted on the sprocket l4 and a member I8 rotatable with the shaft I2, which members I! and I8 have interengaging ends, the latter having a recess in which the rounded end of the member I! engages. This member l'l carries a spring-pressed pin l9, provided with a cone-shaped end engaging in a recess in the sprocket l4. Under normalL conditions, the spring is suificient to hold the pin in the recess, but in the event of undue load for any reason the pin will move out of the recess and allow the shaft to move without the sprocket, thus avoiding damage.

On the links of the chain l6 are mounted carton carriers 20. Co-operating with the carrier chain are tracks 2| and 22 at each side of the machine and which support the chain links between the sprockets M and IS.

The vertical drive shaft I2 is provided with a sprocket 23 adjacent its lower end driven by a chain 24 from a sprocket 25 on a vertical shaft 26 on which is also mounted a worm gear 21 driven in turn by a worm 28 on the main drive shaft 29. This drive shaft is provided with a drive pulley 42 which will be driven from a sutable motor, not shown, and said drive shaft is provided at its other end with a hand wheel 30 so that the machine may be operated slowly manually if necessary.

The carrier chain is intended to travel continuously while the various closing operations are performed and it is necessary therefore that the mechansm for performing certain operations travel with the work while said operations are performed.

3| and 32 are end frames mounted on the frame l0 and on these end frames the chain tracks 2| and 22 are mounted. Slidable longitudinally of the frame in bearings formed in the end frames l0 are slide bars 33 and 34 and movable with these slide bars are the oscillating brackets 35, 35 and 3 6, the latter being provided with split journals for receiving the bars 33 and 34 to permit clamping of the brackets to said bars.

These slide bars and oscillating brackets form a carriage for supporting and moving the various parts which necessarily travel with the work during the carton closing operations.

Journalled in the end frames 31 and 32 and extending through the oscillating brackets 35 and 36 is a cam shaft 31. Mounted on and rotatable with this shaft 3? between the oscillating brackets 35 and 36 is the oscillating cam 38, which is provided with a cam groove 39 into which extends a roller 49 mounted on a bracket 4! carried by the frame Ill. This cam shaft 3'! is formed in two sections connected together by an extensible coupling comprising trunnions 43 and 44, secured on the adjacent shaft ends, and pivoted coupling arms 45 and 46. This cam shaft 31 has a worm wheel 4'! thereon by means of which it is driven by a worm 48 on the main drive shaft 29.

It will thus be seen that as the cam shaft 31 is rotated, it will-be caused, through the operation of the roller 49 in the groove 39 of the cam 38, to be reciprocated longitudinally to move the necessary parts with the carton being operated on and to return said parts to proper position to commence work on the following carton.

The cartons are fed to the closing mechanism by means of a conveyor, the frame of which is formed of longitudinal bars 49 supported; at the machine end by a yoke 50 mounted on the upper end of a leg 5|, the lower end of which-legisprovided with a bracket 52 secured to the frame In of the machine. veyor frame is supported by a yoke 53 on the upper end of a leg 54, the latter being provided with a foot 55 resting on'the floor.

56 is the conveyor belt, which is mounted on a drive pulley 5'! mounted on the conveyor drive shaft 58, and an idler pulley 59 mounted on an idler pulley shaft 69. The shaft 69 is preferably mounted on take-up brackets 6| provided with adjusting screws 62, which provide means for taking up slack in the conveyor belt 56.

Supported on brackets 63 secured to the bars 49 are side guide rails 64 to hold the cartons in proper travelling position on the conveyor belt.

The conveyor drive shaft 58 is provided with a sprocket 65 which is chain-driven from a sprocket 66 on a shaft 61, which is gear driven from a cross shaft 68, which is provided with The other end of the cona mitre gear 69 meshing with a mitre gear 10 on a side shaft 1 i. This side shaft H is provided with a sprocket l2 chain-driven from a sprocket 73 on the cam shaft 31.

To control the feeding of the cartons through the closing mechanism at regular intervals the following mechanism is provided. Projecting into the path of the cartons as they are carried by the conveyor belt 56 are the escapement arms 114 which are pivotally mounted on links 15, which are in turn pivoted 0n bracket 16 secured to the conveyor frame bars 48. A spring ll secured at one end to the pivot bolt between the arms '54 and links 15 and at its other end to a bracket 18 on the leg bracket 52 tends to pull the arms l4 out of the path of the cartons.

On the escapement arms 74 are latch members or hooks 19 which engage stops 88 secured to the frame bars 49, and normally hold the escapement bars in the path of the cartons. A spring 8| tends to prevent rocking of the escapement arms away from the stop 80.

Movement of the escapement arms is controlled by a bell crank lever 82 fulcrumed on a bracket 83 mounted on the leg 5!, which lever is provided with a pin 81 on which is journalled a roller 84 with which engages a cam, preferably, for adjustment purposes, formed of two sections 85 and 86 secured together by a pin and slot connection. This cam 85-86 is mounted on the cam shaft 31. As will be evident from the previous description, the cam shaft 31 moves axially, and as the cam 85-86 will move with the said cam shaft, the roller 84 is slidable longitudinally of the pin 81, and to ensure that said roller slides with the cam, the said cam sections 8586 are spaced slightly to receive between them a flange or rib on the roller 84.

The operation of the escapement means is as follows:The carton travelling along with the belt engages the escapement arms 14, but on account of the engagement of the latch 19 with the stop 80, these arms cannot move and the carton is held from further movement until such time as the lever 82, through the operation of the cam 8586 raises the links 15 and also the arms 14, and disengages the latch from the stop and permits the carton to rock the arms 74 forwardly to clear the latch from the stop and permit the escapement arms to be drawn down by the springs 11.

Further movement of the cam rocks the lever 82 to lift the links and arms to normal height. When the arms are sufficiently raised, the spring 8| draws the arms back to engage the latch with the stop ready for the next carton.

The cam 8586 is shaped to permit the escapement arms to return to carton stopping position before the carton has travelled its own length. The rear end of the carton will thus be lifted by the escapement arms, but the carton will continue to travel on under the pull of the conveyor belt. The escapement arms will thus be in a position to engage the following carton even if there is insufficient space between the cartons for the entrance of the escapement arms.

The conveyor belt 56 travels at a more rapid rate than the chain I 6, and therefore the carton, when released by the escapement arms, catches up to the carton carrier 20 ahead ready for its own carrier to move in behind it.

The carton escapement control mechanism, is of course, timed to coincide with the various operations, and upon its release the carton is carried along the guideway, comprising bottom rails 88, a front rail 89 and a rear rail 90, by means of one of the carriers 20 on the chain I6 until it arrives at the liner and flap folding unit, the operation being to fold in the front I of the liner and to partly fold down the rear end 3 of the liner and the rear flap 6 of the carton, having reference to the direction of travel of the latter.

The liner and flap folding unit includes a liner folder slide 93 slidably mounted on the end frame 36 and pivoted on this slide 93 is a liner folder arm 9I.

The carton passes to a position in front of the liner folder arm, which is provided at its upper end with a liner folder plate which, through the rocking the arm on its pivot, is swung down over the carton and through the movement of the slide 93 is also moved horizontally to fold in the front I of the liner. It will be seen that the liner folder plate is of such a length that the rear part of the liner and the cover are bent rearwardly as shown in Fig. 10, and this operation commences the drawing down of the ends of the liner.

The horizontal movement of the slide 93 and the rocking of the liner-folder arm is effected from the cam shaft 31 by means of the following mechanism. On this shaft 31 are mounted a pair of cams 94 and 95, while on the shaft 34 are fulcrumed cam levers 96 and 91. The free end of the lever 96 is connected by a connecting rod 98 with the liner-folder arm 9I, while the free end of the lever 91 is conected by a connecting rod 99 with the slide 93. On the oscillating bracket 36 is mounted the spring anchor I00. To one side of this anchor are connected two springs I 0|, the other ends of which are connected to the lever 96 while to the other side of this anchor are connected two springs I02, the other ends of which are connected to the lever 91. These springs MI and I02 normally tend to rock the cam levers 96 and 91 towards the spring anchor, while this movement of the levers is regulated by the cams 94 and 95 which engage antifriction rollers mounted on studs on the sides of the levers. Referring to Fig. 10 of the drawings the cams are shown in full lines in position holding the levers 96 and 91 at approximately the end of the movement away from the cam shaft in which position the cam 94, through the rod 98, has rocked the paper folder arm to cause the folder plate I03 carried thereby to fold in the front I of the liner, and the slide 93 has been operated by the cam 95 through the rod 99 to give the necessary horizontal movement thereto and through it to the paper folder arm and the folder plate I03 to flatten down the folded-in liner front I. Movement of the cams 94 and 95 then permits the cam levers 96 and 91 to be drawn in by the springs, thus allowing the slide 93 to move outwardly and also rocking the folder arm outwardly to the original position ready to commence the necessary movements for operation on the next carton.

As stated above the liner folder plate commences the folding down of the rear end 3 of the liner, and this movement is completed by a rotary kicker I04 which kicker also completes the folding down of the rear flap 6 of the carton. To insure that there is sufficient space between the rear flap 6 of the carton being operated on and the front flap 5 of the following carton, for the operation of the kicker I04, we provide the flap spreader 92, which is secured to the rear side of the arm 9|, and, this spreader, when the arm 9| moves into folding position, moves between these flaps and separates them to the necessary extent.

This kick comprises two spaced members mounted on a shaft carried by a bracket I05 secured to the kicker and stamper platform I06 positioned between the tracks 2| and 22. Also on this platform I06 is mounted a bracket I01 in which are journalled studs I08 and I09 on which are pivoted the upper ends of levers H0 and II I, to the lower ends of which is pivoted the oscillating rail II2.

To rock the levers H0 and III with the oscillating rail away from the rotary kicker, a cam lever H3 is mounted on the stud I08 and moves wit hthe lever H0, which cam lever is provided with an anti-friction-roll which is engaged by a cam H 4 rotatable with the rotary kicker. A spring II5 mounted on stud I08, having one end engaged with the cam lever I I3 and its other end with the stud I09, tends to rock the lever I I3 and also the levers I I0 and III with the oscillating rail towards the rotary kicker.

As stated above the kicker I04 is formed of two spaced members, which pass one at each side of the oscillating rail during rotation of the kicker.

This oscillating rail is provided with an upturned end and gradually folds down the forward end flap- 5 of the carton and the corresponding end of the liner. As the oscillating rail travels rearwardly it engages the forward end of the rear end flap 6 and thus holds the latter in place after the rotary kicker has finished its work. In order that a date or other markings may be applied to the carton top flap, a stamper mechanism is provided which is supported on the bracket I01. On this bracket is mounted a shaft H6 and on this shaft is mounted a stamper comprising a head I I1 which carries a plate H8 and a clamping plate II9, the letters or other symbols I20 being clamped between these two plates H8 and I I9. The clamping plate H9 is held in place by a clamping nut I20. Co-operating with the stamper roll is a pressure roll I2I mounted on a stud I22 on the bracket I01. I23 is a guide rail which bends the top flap rearwardly and downwardly as it travels along the track and guides the flap between the stamper and pressure roll.

The rotary kicker shaft and the stamper shaft II6 are each provided with sprocket gears which are driven by a chain I24 from a sprocket I25 on the cross shaft 68. The chain I24 also passes over an idler sprocket I26 carried by an arm I21. To ensure that there is a space between the liner covered contents and the front 1 of the carton for the insertion of a spreader plate I32, hereinafter referred to, it is desired to apply pressure to the front of the liner-covered contents. I28 is a compressor member, which is mounted on the upper end of a cam lever I29 fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the shaft 33. The other end of this lever is provided with an anti-friction roll which engages a cam I39 rotatable with the cam shaft 31. This cam I30 is shaped to rock the cam lever to move the compressor member I28 against the front of the carton and press back the liner-covered contents behind it. The carton front when released will spring back to its normal position leaving a sufilciently wide gap between the carton front 1 and the contents. A spring I3I connected at one end to the lever I29 and at its other to the frame I0 tends to rock the lever with its compressor member away from compressing position.

To make sure that there is sufficient clearance between the liner and carton front for the entrance of the cover flap 9, the following spreader mechanism is provided. I32 is a spreader plate, mounted on a head I 33 which is in turn mounted on the upper end of a vertical slide shaft I34, which is vertically slidable in a bearing I35 on the oscillating bracket 35. Springs I36 secured at their upper ends to a spring anchor I31 on the bearing I35 and at their lower ends to a clevis I38 on the lower end of the shaft I34 tend to hold the shaft I34 and spreader plate I32 in raised position. To depress the shaft I34 with the spreader plate I32, a cam lever I39 is fulcrumed on the slide bar 34, and its other end is forked and is engaged with the clevis I38 on the lower end of the shaft I34. On the side of this cam lever I39 is mounted an anti-friction roller which is engaged by a cam I40 rotatable with the main cam shaft 31. As this cam I40 is rotated the lever is rocked to depress the vertical shaft I34 and spreader plate to cause the latter to enter between the front of the carton and the liner and ensure that there is sufficient clearance for the entrance of the cover flap. The spreader plate I32 is preferably wedge-shaped in cross section which'facilitates its entrance into the carton and at the same time provides considerable space between the upper part of the liner and the front of the carton.

During the time the filled carton is being operated on by the compressor I28 and the spreader I32 it is travelling under a rail I43, which is supported at one end by an arm I44 from the bracket I61 and at its other end by a bracket I45 carried by the front rail 89. This toprail I43 is provided with a special downwardly inclined edge strip I43 the extreme edge of which lies at substantially the junction of the carton cover with the back of the carton. To move the carton cover from its outwardly extending horizontal position to closing position the cover is engaged by a guide rail I46, which carries the cover to a position at less than a right angle to the top of the carton.

Up to this point, the line of division between the cover 8 and the cover flap 9 has not been creased or broken, and before the cover can be closed it is necessary that the cover flap be bent to the desired angle relative to the cover. The cover is therefore led over the flap-folding plate MI and as it passes over this plate, the flap is bent downwardly by the flap-folding bar I42 which is carried by and projects from the side of the spreader I32, the edge I43 of the top rail and the flap folding plate I4I thus forming fold lines for the cover.

The cover 8 having been creased to direct. the cover flap 9 at the right angle, the final step is the closing of the carton by rocking down the cover 8 and inserting the flap between the front I and the liner covered contents. On theoscil-' lating bracket 35 is mounted a bracket I41 which is provided with a shaft or bearing pin I48 on which is mounted a closer'lever I49. This closer lever has a closer plate I50 thereon which engages the cover and also by means of an arm I52 carries a closer rail I5I which engages the flap 9. The closer lever is actuated by means of a cam lever I53 mounted on the shaft I48, which cam lever is provided with an anti-friction roll engaged by a cam I54 on the cam shaft 31. The cam I54 acts to move the closer mechanism to close the carton cover, but this mechanism is moved out of closing position by a spring I 55 connected at one end to the came lever I53 and at its other end to the oscillating bracket 35 00- operating with the closer rail I 5| is a guide I56 to retain and direct the cover tongue as it passes under the closer plate I50 and closer rail I5I, while the rail I5I is formed with a curved extension which passes down outside the front of the carton to align the cover tongue with the top edge of the carton front I and prevent buckling of the said tongue during insertion.

The arm I52 is adjustably mounted, thus permitting the closer rail I5I to be positioned to properly guide the cover tongue into the carton.

The closing having been completed, the closed carton passes off at the delivery end of the apparatus.

It will be understood, of course, that while the operation of the apparatus has been described as relating to a single carton it will be operating on a series of cartons passing in a row through the machine one operation being performed-on one carton while the other operations are being performed on other cartons.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to" the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents the combination of a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; means'for folding down over the contents the front of the liner and to fold into a rearwardly directed position the closure flap and rear part of the liner; means for folding down the forward end flap of the carton and adjacent part of the liner; means for folding down the rear end flap and adjacent part of the liner; means for compressing the upper part of the contents to form a space between the inside of the carton front and the liner; and means for folding down the closure flap and rear part of the liner and inserting the tongue in the space between the carton front and liner.

2. In a closing machine operable on paper-. lined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure filap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents the combination of a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; means for folding down over the contents the front of the liner and to fold into a rearwardly directed positilon the closure flap and rear part of the liner; means for folding down the forward end flap of the carton and adjacent part of the liner; means for folding down the rear end flap and adjacent part of the liner; means for applying a marking to the closure flap while in said rearwardly directed position; means for compressing the upper part of the contents to form a, space between the inside of the carton front and the liner; and means for folding down the closure flap and rear part of the liner and inserting the tgpgue in the space between the carton front and liner,

3. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents the combination of a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; means for folding down over the contents the front of the liner and to fold into a rcarwardly directed position the closure flap and rear part of the liner; means for folding down the forward end flap of the carton and adjacent part of the liner; means for folding down the rear end flap and adjacent part of the liner; means for spacing said rear end flap and the forward end flap of the following carton to permit said rear end flap folding means to operate; means for compressing the upper part of the contents to form a space between the inside of the carton front and the liner; and means for folding down the closure flap and rear part of the liner and inserting the tongue in the space between the carton front and liner.

4. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents the combination of a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; means for folding down over the contents the front of the liner and to fold into a rearwardly directedposition the closure flap and rear part of the liner; means for folding down the forward end flapof the carton and adjacent part of the liner; means for folding down the rear end flap and adjacent part of the liner; means for compressing the upper part of the contents to form a space between the inside of the carton front and the liner; means for bending said tongue at an angle to the main part of the closure flap; and means for folding down the closure flap and rear part of the liner and inserting the tongue in the space between the carton front and liner,

5. In a closing machine operable on paper-lined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton; a lever; a pressure member on said lever and means for rocking said lever against the front of the carton immediately adjacent the top corner for a depth at least substantially equal to that of the tongue to compress the upper part of the contents to form a space between said front and contents to receive said tongue; and means for folding down the closure flap and inserting the tongue in said space.

6. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons'through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton; a spindle slidable vertically of the frame; a spreader carried by said spindle adapted to form a space between the carton front and contents; means for folding the closure flap and inserting the tongue in said space; means for operating the spindle to move the spreader into and out of the carton; and means for operating the closure flap folding and tongue inserting means while the spreader is out of the carton.

7. In a closing machine operable on paper-lined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton; a lever; a pressure member on said lever and means for rocking said pressure member against the upper part of the front of the carton to compress the upper part of the contents to form a space between said front and contents; a shaft slidable vertically of the frame; a spacer carried by said shaft adapted to enter the space between the carton front and contents; and means for operating said shaft and means for folding down the closure flap and inserting the tongue in said gap after the spacer has been removed.

8. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton; a stationary folder member on said frame; a shaft movable vertically of the frame; a movable folder member operable by said shaft; means for operating said shaft; and means for guiding the closure flap between said stationary and movable folder members.

9. In a closing machine operable on paper-lined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combina-- tion of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton; an arm pivoted on said frame; a closure flap closing member carried by said arm; and a tongue guiding member also carried by said arm; means for adjusting the position of the tongue guiding member relative to the closure flap closing member.

10. In a closing machine operable on cartons of the kind having a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this flap for insertion between the side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a movable pressure member positioned to engage the front of the carton immediately adjacent the top corner for a depth at least substantially equal to that of the tongue; means for actuating said pressure member to move said upper part of the front of the carton to compress the contents to form a recess between the carton front and the contents.

11. In a closing machine operable on cartons of the kind having a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this flap for insertion between the side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a movable pressure member positioned to engage the upper part of the front of the carton; means for actuating said pressure member to move said upper part of the front of the carton to compress the contents to form a recess between the carton front and the contents; and means adapted to be inserted in said gap to further compress the contents to increase the size of said recess to receive the tongue in the closure flap.

12. In a closing machine operable on cartons of the kind having a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth and a tongue along the free edge of this flap for insertion between the side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a movable pressure member positioned to engage the upper part of the front of the carton; means for actuating said pressure member to move said upper par-t of the front of the carton to compress the contents to form a recess between the carton front and the contents; and means adapted to be inserted in said gap to further compress the contents to increase the size of said recess to receive the tongue in the closure flap; and means for folding down the closure flap and inserting the tongue in said recess after said last mentioned means has been withdrawn.

13. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton comprising a slide movable transversely of the frame; an arm pivoted on said slide; a folder plate carried by said arm, said folder plate being of a length to fold rearwardly the rear part of the liner and the closure flap; and means for fold down the front of the liner over the contents.

14. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner.

and the end flaps of the carton comprising a slide movable transversely of the frame; an arm pivoted on said slide; a folder plate carried by said arm; a spreader plate mounted on the arm for separating the rear end flap on the carton being closed and the forward end flap of a following carton; and means for actuating said slide and rocking said arm to move the folder plate to and from a position to fold down the front of the liner over the contents.

15. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton comprising a slide movable transversely of the frame; an arm pivoted on said slide; a folder plate carried by said arm; and means for actuating said slide and rocking said arm to move the folder plate to and from a position to fold down the front of the liner over the contents; and a closing rail under which the carton passes to fold down the forward end flap and a rotary kicker adapted to fold down the rear end flap.

16. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton comprising a slide movable transversely of the frame; an arm pivoted on said slide; afolder plate carried by said arm; and means for actuating said slide and rocking said arm to move the folder plate to and from a position to fold down the front of the liner over the contents; and a movable closing rail under which the carton passes to fold down the forward end flap and a rotary kicker adapted to fold down the rear end flap, and means for moving said closing rail rearwardly to retain the rear end flap in folded position when released b the kicker. actuating said slide and rocking said arm to y move the folder plate to and from a position to 17. In a closing machine operable on paperlined cartons of the kind having an end flap hinged to each end of the carton and a closure flap hinged to the rear side of the carton for covering the open mouth, and a tongue along the free edge of the closure flap for insertion between the front side of the carton and the contents, the combination of a frame; a conveyor for transporting cartons through the machine; and means for folding down the front and ends of the liner and the end flaps of the carton comprising a slide movable transversely of the frame; an arm pivoted on said slide; a folder plate carried by said arm, said folder plate being of a length to fold rearwardly the rear part of the liner and the closure flap; means for actuating said slide and rocking said arm to move the folder plate to and from a position to fold down the front of the liner over the contents; and means for applying a marking to the cover while in said rearwardly directed position.

VICTOR G. WILLIAMS. HARVEY M. BUTTER. 

